Indian left-arm spinner Manav Suthar made an immediate impact by dismissing Dinesh Chandimal with the first ball of his spell during the first Test against Sri Lanka. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant showed sharp reflexes behind the stumps, moving quickly to his right to complete a brilliant catch off the batter's glove.
India's first innings ended quickly on Day 3 (Monday) as the visitors were bowled out for 462, adding only two runs to their overnight total. Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya led the bowling attack with 4/109, while Keshara Nuwantha claimed 3/175 to prevent India from extending their lead further.
Watch: Manav Suthar Strikes With First Ball to Remove Dinesh Chandimal
Indian captain Shubman Gill brought Manav Suthar into the attack in the eighth over of Sri Lanka's first innings. The left-arm spinner bowled a good-length delivery around off that drifted into Dinesh Chandimal before turning away sharply.
Chandimal moved forward to defend but played away from his body. The ball caught the outside of his right glove, giving Rishabh Pant a difficult chance behind the stumps. Pant reacted quickly to his right and completed the catch as Chandimal walked back for four off 16 balls.
Suthar took his maiden Test wicket away from home, leaving Sri Lanka in early trouble with their second wicket down. The spinner celebrated the breakthrough with his teammates as India made an immediate impact after Gill's bowling change.
Suthar strike in first ball of his spelling
— Kaushy (@theKaushyy) August 17, 2026
Dinesh departs #INDvsSL #CricketIndia #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/VPTfgf4YH6
Mohammed Siraj Put Sri Lanka Under Early Pressure
India made a strong start with the ball on Day 3 as Mohammed Siraj struck with his second delivery of the innings. The pacer bowled one outside off that moved away, forcing Nishan Fernando to edge it towards first slip. Devdutt Padikkal reacted quickly and completed a sharp catch.
Fernando had no answer to Siraj's movement and walked back without scoring. The early breakthrough left Sri Lanka 0/1 after just two balls and gave India immediate control. Siraj's disciplined start also put pressure on the Sri Lankan top order before Suthar joined the attack.
Manav Suthar then made an instant impact by taking a wicket with his first ball. With two early wickets down, Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis came together and focused on rebuilding the innings. At the time of writing, Sri Lanka reached 53/2 after 13 overs.
Devdutt Padikkal's 167 Guides India to 462 in First Innings
India chose to bat first after winning the toss at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Yashasvi Jaiswal made a positive start but was run out for 32 off 37 balls. KL Rahul then anchored the innings with a patient 82 from 175 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and a six.
Devdutt Padikkal emerged as India's standout batter and converted his opportunity at No. 3 into a memorable maiden Test century. He eventually fell for 167 off 230 balls, featuring 15 fours and one six, giving India a strong platform in the middle overs.
Shubman Gill scored 16 off 28 balls, while Rishabh Pant added 39 from 62 deliveries. Dhruv Jurel also contributed with a useful 51 off 68 balls, and Manav Suthar made 24 from 43. Ravindra Jadeja scored 13 as India were bowled out for 462 in 116.4 overs.
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